Loom.



No. 744,442. PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903* E. VAHLE.

LDOM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

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m VE/VTOH .Erneai wh WITNESSES No. 744,442. PATBNTED NOV. 17, 1903. E. VAHLE.

LOOM.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 5. 1902. H0 MODEL.

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HEN-CPI WITNESSES INVENTOI? Ernewl Ze AW By W ATTOHNE rs PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

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LOOM.

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E. VAHLE.

LOOM.

H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES MM No. 744,442. PATENTED NOV. 17, 1908.

E. VAHLB. LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6. 1902 HO HUDEL.

WITNESSES: INVENTOH Erned Wk 8) a S i 3 wins an PHOTO-DINO wunmowm u c UNITED STATES Patented November 17, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N 0. 744,442, dated November 17, 1903.

Application filed January 6, 1902. Serial No. 88.592. (No model.)

0 all 107mm 1715 may concern.-

lle it known that I, ERNEs'r VAHLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of \Vcst IIoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Loo'm, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved loom for weaving all kinds of textile fabrics and arranged to carry the doubled-up weft-thread through the open shed by a spoolless shuttle, to produce a fabric having double weft-threads in each pick, the arrangement permittingthe production of plain goods as well as figured goods with the aid of a jacquard.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional side elevation of the improvement, showing the lay in a beating-in position and the picker mechanism omitted. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 3 il of Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a like view of the same, showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the lay and parts carried thereon. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same, on a reduced scale, with parts in a dilferent position. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the shuttle, the shuttle-race, and the mechanism controlled by the shuttle for operating the loop-needles and the locking device for the weft-thread guide. Fig. 7 is a like view of the shuttle, showing parts thereof in a different position. Fig. 8 is an enlarged rear sectional elevation of the weft-thread spool of the holding and releasing device for the weftthread and adjacent parts. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the actuating device for the weftthread gu ide w h on weaving plain goods. Fig. 10 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the hooks for guiding the weft-thread to the open shed. Fig. '1 l is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the fabric, showing the open shed, the weft-thread in position therein and looped onto the needle. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the weave.

In the fabric A to be wovenby the loom warpthreads A' are bound in by doubled-up weftthreadsA and A alternately passed from opposite sides of the loom through the open shedthat is, in the first pick, say the doubled-up weft-thread A is passed from the right to the left through the open shed from a spoolA, located on the right-hand side of the machine, and then during the next pick the donl aled-up weft-thread A is passed from the left to the right through the open shed from a spool A, located on the left-hand side of the machine, (see Fig. 2,) the ends of the weft-threads being held in the selvage of the fabric, as indicated in Fig. 12. In order to weave the fabric, it is at least necessary that two weft threads A and A from separate spools A and A be employed; but the number of spools and weftthreads for each side of the loom may be increased, especially when it is desired to weave figured goods. As shown in Fig. 2, two spools A and two spools A are provided for each side, and each of these spools carriesa differently-colored weft-thread to'allow of weaving figured goods according to a predetermined pattern, and in this case a jacquard is required to bring the desired weft-threads into action. In case plain goods are woven the weftthreads A and A are alike in color, and in this case the jacquard can be dispensed with; but instead of the jacquard the device shown in Fig. 9 is employed to bring the weftthreads A A for successive picks alternately into active positions. The loom for weaving this fabric is arranged as follows:

On the frame B are arranged the usual beams B and B for the fabric A and warpthreads A", as plainly indicated in Fig. l, and in the said frame B is journaled the main or crank shaft U, having crank -ar1ns U, connected by pitman with the lay l), fulcrumed at l)" in the frame B and provided with the usual reed I) for beating in successively the doubled-up weftthreads A A The warp -thrcads A are held in the usual heddles E, and the doubledu p warp-threads A are carried alternately through the open shed by a spoolless shuttle F, mounted to travel from one shuttle-race I) to the other shuttle-race l and back again, the shuttle being propelled from one shuttle-race to the other by a suitable picker mechanism. (Not shown.) The shuttle-races l) and I) are integral parts of the lay I), and consequently move with the same as the latter swings forward and backward when the loom is in action. The shuttle F is pointed at its ends in the usual manner and is provided in its trout side with a retainingdevice for ei'igagingthe loops A of the doubled-up weft -threads A A to alternately carry the same through the open shed. This retaining device consists, essentially, of a lug or button F, mounted to slide transversely in the sh little-body, thelug when in an outermost position beingadapted to engage the loop A" and when moved into an inward position casts oii' the loop A shortly after the shuttle has passed through the open shed and entered the corresponding shuttlerace I)" or IV. In order to move this lug F transversely in the shuttle F, I provide the following device, special reference being had to Figs. 6 and T. The innerend of thelug F is engaged by the inner ends of levers and F extending lengthwise in the shuttle F and in opposite directions from the lug F, the said levers being provided near theirtulerum ends with pioieetions F F, oi which the projection F is adapted to engage a spring I), arranged in the front of the shuttle-race l), and the lug F is adapted to engage a similar spring I), but located in the other shuttle race D". Now when the shuttle F passes into the shuttle-race 1). as indicated in Fig. It, then the projection F engages the spring I)", so that the lever F is swung inward, and in doing so moves the lug F likewise .inward to cast Oil the loop A oil the weft-thread A. In a like manner when the shuttle F moves into the shuttleraee l) then the projection engages the spring I) in the said shuttle -race 'and causes a like inward movement: of the lug F to cast olt' the loop A of the weftthrcad A. \Vhen the projections F and F" are not in engagement with theircorresponding spring I), then the lug F is held in an outermost position by a spring F pressing against the inner end of the lug F", as will be readily uin'lerstoml by reference to Figs. It and T.

In order to prevent the loop A" from aecidentally sliding oil the lug F, I provide the retaining-arms G and G, l'ulcruined in a recess in the front end of the lug F, (see Figs. 5, (3, and 7,) and the said arms are normally pressed into an outermost retaining position by a spring G, so as to hold the loop A on the lug F. The inner ends G of the arms G G are adapted to be pressed apart by the poin ted end of a pin G, rigidly secured in the casing F in which the lug F' slides, so that when the lug moves into a rear-most position, as previously explained and shown in Fig. U, then the inner ends G of the arms G (r' move in contact with the pin G", and are thereby spread apart to draw the free ends of the arms G G" into an innermost position-that is, in the recess in the lug F' to allow the loop A to readily slide oil at the time the lug F' movesrearward. As soon as the lugnuwcs outward and engages the next loop A then the arms G G move again into an active position, as shown in Fig. 7, to hold the loop A" against accidental displacement from the lug F'.

In order to bring the active wettthread A or A in and out of position at each end of the open shed for the lug F to take hold of the loop A, I provide gn ide-hooks ll ll and mechanism fori'ictuatingthe same, each guide-hook ll ll operating in conjunction with corresponding welt-thread holding and releasing device I, located immediately above the corresponding spool A A and above which device I is arranged a spring- .I, from which passes the corresponding wettthread A or A to an eye I) or D held on the top rail of the lay I). The mechanisms for bearing the guide -hooks are simply duplicates one of the other, and the several holding and releasing devices I are alike in construction, also the eyes J and l)" and I), so that it sul ices to describe one of each duplicate device in detail.

inch of the guide-hooks II II is provided ith a shank ll", from the upper end of which extends longitudiintlly the horizontal arm 1 l, terminating in a hook proper, II, as plainly indicated in Figs. 5, lo, and 11, the hook ll being adapted to engage the corresponding we ft-thread A or A below the eye I)" at the time the lay D is in a rearmost position. The shank ll of the hook is fastened by a setscrew ii in the upper end of a rod K, mounted to slide vertically in suitable bearings K and K formed on a bracket k boltedorotherwiso fastened to the underside oi the lay I), as plainly indicated in Fig. 5. A spring K is coiled on the rod h and rests with its lower end on the bearing K and presses with the upper end against a collar h", normally resting against the under side of the bearing If. The rod h, and with it the guide-hook II or ll, is drawn dowmvard into an active position by the action of the jacquard Ii,-and in order to do this thelower end oi. each rod K is connected with one end oi a rope N, extending over pulleys N", N N", and N, and connected at its other end with the lower end of a hook l/ of the jacquard L, the said book being adapted to be lifted periodically bythe lever I and to draw the rod h downward against the tension of its spring K and until the spring-catch snaps oil? over the top of the collar K so as to lock the rod K temporarily against a return or upward movement. On each hook L of the jacquz'ird is arranged a wedge I), (see Fig. 2,) adapted to engage a projection If on the frame of the jacquard, so that when the hook L" is elevated into an uppermost posi tion by the lever L then the said wedge L presses the hook L to one side to disengage the upper end of the hook from the lever L As soon as this takes place the hook L drops back to a lowermost position and a spring N on each rope N draws the latter back, it being understood that the spring was exerting a pull on the rope l\" by the lifting of the hook L. The catch 0 holds the rod K in a lowermost position during the time the lay l) is in a rearmost position, so that the hook ll holds the corresponding weft-thread A A in the path of the shuttle to allow the lug l thereof to engage the corresponding loop A to allow of drawing the doubled-up weftthread through the open shed from one side to the other. (See Fig. 5%) The catch 0 is released by the shuttle entering the opposite shuttle-race, so that the spring K forces the rod K back to a normal uppermost position, thereby releasing the corresponding weftthread A or A for the time being.

In order to withdraw the catch 0 from the collar K I provide the following device: The catch 0 is mounted to slide in the bracket K (see Fig. and is pressed on by a spring 0" to normally hold the catch in an outermost position for ei'lgagement with the collar K when the rod K is moved downward. On the inner end of the catch is arranged a head containing a spring pressed catch adapted to be engaged by one end of a lever 0 fulcrumcd on the bracket K and pressed on by a spring The lower end of the lever U is adapted to be engaged by an arm 0, seoured on a transversely-extending roek-shaf t journaled in suitable bearings on the lay I), so as to move with the same. ()n the shaft are secured two upwardly-extending arms 0 and (7)", engaging the rear faces of the levers l and l fulcrumcd at their outer ends l and P in the rear sides of the raceways D and I), the said levers extending in slots arranged in the raceways, so as to project with their forward faces into the raeeways for the shuttle 1* to swing the levers 1 andl outward at the time the shuttle passes into the corresponding raceway I) or D. As previously stated, the rod K is locked by the catch 0 in a lowermost position during the time the shuttle passes through the open shed, so that the hook ll properly guides the corresponding wel't-thread A or A to the open shed, and as soon as the shuttle enters the raceway I) or 1) then it brings the corresponding lever P or P outward, and thereby gives a swinging motion to the arm to rock the shaft which by the arm 0 imparts a swinging motion to the lever and as the latter engages the spring-catch t) it is evident that the catch is caused to slide rearward out of engagement with the collar K to re lease the rod K. As soon as this takes place the spring K immediately E'irces the red I( upward, so that the hook ll discngages the corresponding weft-thread 1V or A. The

weft-thread A or A is thus released previous to the lay beating in the weft-thread.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the shuttle when entering the raceways l) and 1) controls the releasing of the weft-threads by the hooks ll". The shuttle h also controls the needles Q and Q", employed for engaging the loop A" of the weft-threads A and A at the time the loops are cast off from the lug h" ofthe shuttle l-that is, at the time the shuttle passes into the corresponding raceway l) or I). The needles Q and Q" extend longitudinally adjacent to the edges of the weave, as plainlyindicated in Figs. 25 and 4. The needles (3 Q move bodily with the lay D and have a longitiuliual movement to bring the needles into a forward position for receiving the loop A as soon as the shuttle has left the open shed and passes into the corresponding raceway l) or I). As soon as the doubled-up weft-thread A or A just laid in the open shed is beaten in by the lay then the needle Q or Q moves rearwardly and out of the path of the shuttle, so that the latter can return to the other side of the loom during the next pick.

The mechanisms for i'q'ierating the needles are arranged as follows, special. reference being had to Figs. 3, l, and H: The needles Q and Q, are secured on the rods Q and Q, mounted to slide loi'lgitudinally in the easings R lt, attached by brackets R to the race *ays l) l), and each of the said rods Q is pressed on by a spring Q and normally holds the corresponding needle Q or Q in a forward position. On the rods Q and Q are secured or formed lugs Q and Q, extending through slits R" in the casings R 1%, and the said lugs are adapted to be engaged by spring-catches 5* held in the front ends of the levers b l'ulcrumed on the casings ll 1%, respectively, each lever S S being pressed on by a spring S to normally hold. the lever b or b" in such position that the spring-cz'ttch S engaging'the,

corresponding lug Q", is in a normal forward position. The ends of the levers S S are adapted to bear against stops S S held adjustably in the frame B and adapted to be secured therein by set-screws S" to allow of properly adjusting the stops S It will be seen that when the needle Q or Q is in a forward position and engages the loop A and the lay swings rearward then the lever S or lirmly moves in contact with the corresponding step b" 5", so as to impart a swing ing motion to the lever and cause the catch 8* to draw the lug Q or Q", and with it the rod Q or Q and needle Q or Q, in a rearward direction for the corresponding needle Q or Q to disengage the loop A. At the time this takes place the lay has reached almost an in nermost position, and when the lay moves into a final rearward position then the catch slides oil the corresponding lug or Q"; but at this time a catch (3 has moved in engagement with a collar Q? on the corre spending rod Q or Q so as to hold the latter in a rearmost position against the tension of the corresponding spring Q.

The catches (3 above referred to are springprcssed and mounted to slide in bearings attached to the casing R or R" and are provided with springcatehes Q, which move bodily therewith, of which the spring-catch Q" on the casing R is adapted to be engaged by a lever T, and a similar lever T is adapted to engage the spring-catch Q on the casing it to withdraw the spring-catches Q from the collars Q and allow the spring Q" to move the rods Q and Q outward for the needles Q and Q" to engage the next loop A. Now this releasing of the rods (2' and Q by the spring-catches (2* is controlled by the shuttle F entering the eorres imnding raceway D or I), and for this purpose the levers T and T are adapted to be engaged by levers T T, fulerumed on the raeeways l) I) and carrying buttons T and T resting on the levers l and I previously described. Eat-h ofthe levers T and T is provided with a notch T, and each lever T is pressed on by a spring T A pivoted arm T, pressed on by a spring T engages the corresponding lever T (or '1") for the purpose hereinafter described. The lever T (or T) must disengage the catch (3" after the catch (3 has released the collar (3 to allow the catch (3* to move immediately back to its position shown in Fig. ti. As the lever T does not allow a return movement of the lever T as long as the shuttle is in the raceway it necessary to open the catch (2 to release the catch Q from the lever T, and this is done by the shring'vu'm T. \Vhen the catch Q is moved by the lever I, the springarm T moves with the lever T, and the movement of said arm on its pivot causes the free end of the arm to push the catch (3? out of engagement with the lever T as soon as the collar (Q is released. The catch Q no \v moves to the position shown in Fig. I), while the lever T and its arm T remain in the position into which the lever was moved by the lever T \Yhen the lever T is released, then the spring-arm T returns the lever T tor T) to position to engage the catch (3. It is understood that during the time the shuttle passes through the open shed the eorrespoinling needle Q or Q is in a rear-most positionthat is, out of the path of the shuttleand the eorrespolnling eat-eh if then engages the rollar (3 while the lever T or T engages the notch T in the eorrespr'mding lever T or As soon the shuttle passes into the raceway I) or I) and presses the lever l or l outward, as before explained, then the corresponding lever T or T" is caused to swing, thereby moving the end of said lever out of the notch T and imparting a swinging motion to the lever T or T to draw the catch out of engagement with the corresponding collar Q and allow the spring (3 to move the rod or ()forward for the corresponding needle (.3 or (3' to receive the loop A",whieh is eastoll' the shuttle F on the withdrawal of the lug F". The needle Q or (3' now holds the loop A during the forward or beating-in stroke of the lay l), and when the lay I) returns on the next stroke the needle Q or Q is withdrawn by the action of: the lever S or S, as above explained, so that the needle is again out of the path of the shuttle for the latter to pass through the open shed at the next pick.

The holder for each weft-threai'l A or A is arranged as follows, special reference being bad to Fig. 1 and S: The weft-thread A or A after leaving the corresponding spool A or A passes forwardly through eyes I 1 located one above the other and held in a frame I, secured to a bracket 1?, attached to the main frame ll. A spring I is secured in the frame I and is curved to press one side of the weft-thread against the side of the frame I to clamp the thread in position for the time being. The free end of spring 1 is pivotally connected by link I with a bell-crank lever I and adapted to be engaged by a rod 1 carrying a friction-roller l in contact with the peripheral surface of a cam. U, secured on the cam-shaft U of the loom. Now by the arrangement described the weft-thread A or A is periodically clamped and held in position by the spring I and is periodically released at the time the cam U imparts a sliding motion to the rod 1 to swing the bellcrank lever l and to draw the spring I out of engagement with the thread. The thread after leaving the upper eye 1 passes through an eye B, carried on the bracket B and then the thread passes through the eye .l', mounted to slide vertically on rods .1 and J secured at their lower ends on the bracket l3 and attached at their upper ends to an overhead support 13, as indicated in Fig. 1. A spring J is coiled on the rod J to normally hold the eye J in an uppermost position, the spring permitting, however, the eye .I to slide downward on its rods J or J when a pull is erted on the thread by the shuttle passing from one side of the loom to the other. This is at the time the weft-thread is laid double in the open shed. Now as soon as the pressure on the weft-thread is released the eye J is drawn forward by its spring J to take up any slack that is in that portion of the weftthread extending from the eye J through the open shed and to the end secured in the selvage of the fabric. it is understood that when the shuttle goes through the open shed the eye J is drawn downward against the tension of its spring J, but during this time the thread is held by the spring I in the frame I to prevent unwinding of the weft-thread from its spool A or A". When the shuttle has passed through the open shed and the loop A has been cast off from the lug i and the i'zorresponding needle (3 and Q has moved in position to receive the loop, then there is some slack in the weft-thread, and this slack is innnediatcly taken. up by the spring J pulling the eye J, so that the loop A engages the needle Q or Q very firmly. Immediately after this the hook ll disengages the weft-thread, and consequently the latter again becomes slack, and this slack is also taken up by the further upward movement of the eye J caused by the spring J. As soon as the lay starts to go back after having beaten in the weft-thread then the spring I' is moved out of engagement with the warp-thread, and now the eye J moves into a final uppermost position by the action of the spring J and in doing so unwinds a portion of the weft-thread from the spool A or A The amount unwound from the spool corresponds to the amount needed in the neXl pick, it being further expressly understood that as soon as enough thread has been unwound from the spool A for the purpose mentioned the spring I" again clamps the thread in position in the frame I to prevent unwinding of the thread d u rin g the time the shuttle lays the doubledup we t't-thread in the open shed.

The operation is as follows: When the lay is in a rearmost position, as illustrated in Fig. l, and the shuttle F has passed through the open shed from the shuttle-race D into the shuttle-race l) and cast oit the loop A, then the needle Q" engages and holds this loop, so that the doubled-up weft-thread extends in the open shed and can now be beaten in on moving the lay D forward. hen this has been done and the lay moves into a rearmost position, then the needle Q is withdrawn from the loop, as previously explained, and the hook II on the left-hand side of the machine engages the weft-thread A and holds the same across the open shed at the left-hand side in such a manner that when the shuttle moves from the shuttle-race D through the open shed then its lug F engages the weft-thread A to form the loop A" and to carry the now doubled-up weft-thread through the open shed, and when the shuttle moves into the shuttle-race D the lever P is actuated to cause the needle Q to move into an active position, so as to receive the loop A as soon as the same is cast off. from the lug F. Thus the weft-thread A is doubled up in the open shed and is now beaten in on the next forward movement of the lay D. \Vhen this has been done and the lay moves back into a rearmost position, then the needle Q is withdrawn and the hook H is moved into engagement with the weft-thread A to draw the same across the open shed, so that the shuttle F on the next. movement from the right to the left carries the weft-thread along to again lay the doubled-up weft-thread in the open shed. The above-described operation is then repeated.

It understood that the several devices operate in unison to produce thedesired result. It is further understood that whatever weftthrcad A or A is called for in the pattern is moved into an active position by the corresponding hook 11 or H from a card of the jacquard. \Vhen it is desired to weave plain goods, then the device shown in Fig. {I is em ployed-that is, a single hook llor II is only used, and each hook is drawn downward by a cam U held on the cam-shaft U and engaging a lever V, connected with one end of the rope N.

By employing a spoolless shuttle and carrying the weft-threads to the shuttle from spools located outside and independent of the shuttle the weaver is enabled to control the weaving more accurately and the endless annoyances due to spools in shuttles as heretofore constructed are completely avoided.

As any desired number of weft-threads can be employed on each side of the machine and interwoven with the warp, it is evident that any desired pattern can be produced in the weave. In fact, the loom can be readily adapted for doing any kind of weaving.

Havin thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A loom having a spoolless shuttle provided with a retaining device for carrying the wt'aft-thread through the open shed, the said retaining device being mou uted to slide transversely in the shuttle-bod y,an d provided with fulcrumed arms, as set forth.

2. A loom having a spoolless shuttle, a retaining device for carrying a doubled-up weftthread through the open shed one end of the weft-thread being held in the selvage of the weave, the said retaining device comprising a lug or button mounted to slide transversely in the shuttle-body, and provided with retaining-arms, and a guide-hook for guiding the weft-thread to the retaining device, as set forth.

A loomhaving a spoolless shuttle, and a retaining device on the shuttle for engaging the loop of the doubled-up weft-thread to carry the latter through the open shed, the said retaining device comprising a lug mounted to slide and retaining-arms fulcrumed on the lug, as set forth.

4. A loom having a spoolless shuttle and means on the shuttle for engaging the loop of the doubled-up weft-thread to carry the latter through the open shed, one end of the doubled-up weft-thread being lixed in the edge of the weave, means externally of the shed for guiding the weft-thread to the shuttle, and controlled by the shuttle, a needle for engaging the loop of the doubled-up weftthread as soon as the loop is cast off from the shuttle, and means controlled by the shuttle for moving the needle in position, as set forth.

5. A loom having a lay provided with a reed and shuttle-races, a spoolless shuttle mounted to travel in the shuttle-races and through. the open shed, and a retaining device on the shuttle to engage the loop of the doubled-up weft-thread to carry the latter through the open shed, the said retaining device comprising a movable button or lug carried by the shuttle and provided with retaining-arms as set forth.

IIO

(i. A loomhaving a lay provided with a reed and slnittle-nices, a spooiless shuttle mount ed to travel in the shuttle-races and through the open shed, a retainingdeviccon the shutthe to engage the loop of the douhlcd u p wei'tthread to carry the latter through the open shed, the said retaining device heingprovided with fulcrunual retai n ing-arms, one end oi the doubled -up weft-thread being fixed in the edge of the weave, and means on the lay and moving with the same, for guiding the weftthread to the retainer, as the shuttle ad vanres and moves to the open shed, as set forth.

7. A loom having a spoolless shuttle and means on the shuttle for engaging the loop of the doubled-up Weft-thread to carry the latter through the open shed, one end of the doubled-up wcftthread being fixed in the edge of the weave, means externally ot' the shed for guiding the weft-thread to the shuttle, a needle for engaging the loop oi the denhled up weft-thread as soon as the loop is cast off from the shuttle, the needle extending lengthwise of the weave, and means controlled by the shuttle for moving the needle in position after the shuttle has pas ed through the shed, as set forth.

8. A loom having a lay provided with a reed and shuttle-races, a spoolless shuttle mounted to travel in the said shuttleraces and through the open shed, a retainermounted to slide in the shuttle and adapted to project therefrom to engage the loop of the doubledup weft-thread to carry the latter through the open shed, the said retainer being provided with fulcrumed retaining arms, and means for moving said retainer inward to release the loop as soon as the shuttle has passed through the shed, as set forth.

.l. Aloom havinga lay provided with a reed and shuttle-races, a spoolless shuttle movable in the shuttle-races and through the open shed, a retainer on the said shuttle for receiving the loop of the doubled-up weft-thread, guide-hooks on the lay for guiding the corresponding weft-thread to the retainer, a needle on each side ofthe loom for engaging and disengaging the loop cast off from the retainer, means for actuating the said needles and controlled by the said shuttle, and means controlled by the shuttle for actuating the said guide-hooks, as set forth.

10. A loom having a lay, a spoolless shut tle having a loop-retainer, guide-hooks on the lay for guiding the weftthreads to the loopretainer holding and releasing device for pcriodically holding and releasing the weftihrcads, an unwinding device for unwinding each weft-thread from its spool at the time the said holding and releasing device releases its weft -thread, the said unwinding device being intermediate the said holder and the said guide-hooks, and comprising an eye through which the thread passes, rods on which the eye is mounted to slide vertically, and a spring for normally holding the eye in an uppermost position, and means [or actir at ing the holding device in unison with the movement of the lay, as set forth.

1]. A loom having a lay, a spoolless shuttle having a loopretaincr, guide-hooks on the lay for guiding the \vett thremls to the loopreiainer holding and releasing device for pcriodically holding and releasing the weftthreads, an unwinding device for unwinding each weft-thread from its spool at the time the said holding and releasing device releases its weft-thread, the said unwinding device being ,intcrn'iediate the said holder and the said guide-hmiiks, the said unwinding device comprising an eye mounted to slide and through which passes the weft-thread, guide-rods for the eye to slide in, and a spring for holding the eye uormallyin an uppermost position, as set forth.

1-2. A loom havinga lay, a spoolless shuttle having a loop retainer, gu ide-hooks on the lay for guiding the weft-threads to the loop-retainer holding and releasing device for periodically holding and releasing the weftthreads, an unwinding device for unwinding each weft-thread from its spool at the time the said holding and releasing device releases its weft-thread, the said unwinding device being intermediate the said holder and the said guide hooks, and comprising an eye through which the thread passes, rods on which the eye is mounted to slide vertically, and a spring exerting tension on the eye in an upward direction, and means for actuating the said guide-hooks, as set forth.

13 A loom having a holding and releasing device for the weft-thread, means for periodically actuating the said device to alternately hold and release the weft thread, an eye through which passes the weft-thread from the holding and ]0l(ttSlll;J, device, rods on which the eye is mounted to slide vertically, a spring exerting tension on the eye, and a guide-hook iorguit'lingthe \veftthread, from the said eye to the shuttle, as set forth.

14. A loom having a holding and releasing device for the weft-thread, means for periodieally actuatii'ig the said device to alternately hold and release the weft-thread, a springpressed eye through which passes the weftthread from the holding and releasing device, rods on which the said eye has vertical guided movement, aguide-hook for guiding the weftthread from the said eye to the shuttle, and means for imparting movement to the said guide-hook to engage the wei't-threzul and bring the same in proper position at the entrance to the open shed for the shuttle to take hold of the weft-thread, as set forth.

1?. A loom having a holding and releasing device for the weft-thread, means ['or periodically actuating the said device to alternately hold and release the welt-thread, a springpresscd eye through which passes the weftthread from the holding and releasing device, rods on which the eye is mounted to slide and a guidwhoo k for guiding the weft-thread i'rom the said eye to the shuttle, the said IIO guide-hook being movable on the lay and arranged to bodily move with the same, as set forth.

16. A loom having a holding and releasing device for the weft-thread, means for periodically actuating the said deviee to alternately hold and release the \vel'tdhread, a springpressed eye mounted to slide and through which passes the weft-thread from the hold ing and releasing device, a guide-hook for guiding the \veft-tlu-eiul from the said eye to the shuttle, the said guide-hook being movable on the lay and arranged to bodily move with the same, means for moving the guidebook into an active position, means for loeking the guide in this position, and a releasing device for the said locking means and eontrolled by the shuttle, as set lorth.

17. A loom having a spoolless shuttle, a retaining device on said shuttle adapted to engage alternately loops on weft-threads arranged on opposite sides of the open shed, the said retaining device being provided with fulcrumed retaining-arms, and means for bringing the weft-threads in front for alternately engaging the retaining device with the weftthreads, as set forth.

18. A loom having a spoolless shuttle a retaining device on said shuttle adapted to engage alternately loops on \vet't-tln-eads arranged on opposite sides of the open shed, the said retaining device being provided with fulcrumed retaining-arms, means for bringing the weft-threads in front for alternately engaging the retaining device with the weftthreads and means for castin g the loops off the retaining device after the shuttle has passed through the open shed, as set forth.

19. A loom having a spoolless shuttle, a retaining device on said shuttle and adapted to engage alternately loops on weft-thremls arranged on opposite sides of the open shed, the said retaining device being provided with retaining-arms, means for bringing the weftthreads in front for alternately engaging the retaining device with the weft-tln'eads, means for casting the loops oil. the retaining device after the shuttle has passed through the open shed, and needles at the end of the open shed and adapted to receive the loops east otl' from the retaining deviee, as set forth.

20. A loom having a spoolless shuttle, a retaining device carried by said shuttle and adapted to engage alternately loops on weftthreads arrangtal on opposite sides of the open shed, the said retaining device being provided with retaining-arms, means for bringing the weft-threads in front for alternately engaging the retaining device with the weft threads, means for casting the loops off the retaining device after the shuttle has passed through the open shed, needles at the end of the open shed and adapted to reeeive the loops cast oil from the retaining device, and means for moving the needles in and out of the path or the shuttle, as set forth.

21. A loom having a spoollcss shuttle provided with a retaining device adapted to engage alternately loops on Weft-threads arranged on opposite sides of the open shed, means for bringing the Weft-threads in front for alternatel en a ing the retainingdevice with the weft-threads, means for casting the loops oil the retainingdevice after the shuttle has passed through the open shed, needles at the end of the open shed and adapted to reeeive the loops cast oil from the retaining deviee, and means t'ormoving the needlesin and out of the path of the shuttle, the said means being (mntrolled by the shuttle, as set forth.

22. A loom having a lay, rods mounted to slide vertically in bearings carried by the lay, and guide-hooks carried by the rods and. located at the ends of the open shed to alternately earry a \vei't-tln'ead across the open shed, means for moving the rods to carry the guidebooks into an aetive position, and means for locking the rods in this position, as set forth.

23. A loom having a lay, rods mounted to slide vertically in bearings carried by the lay, guide-hooks carried by the rods and located at the ends of the open shed to alternately carry a weft-thread across the open shed, and a shuttle movable on the layand through the open shed to alternately take up the weftthreads held across the ends of the open shed by the said guide-hooks, means for moving the rods to carry the guide-hooks into an active position, means for locking the rods in this position, means controlled by the shuttle for releasing the rods, and springs for returning the rods to inactive position when released, set forth.

24. A loom having a lay and guide-hooks mounted on the lay and having a sliding movement thereon, theguide-hooks beinglocatcd at the ends of the open shed to alternately carry a weft-thread across the open shed, a shuttle movable on the lay and through the open shed to alternatelytake up the weft-threads held across the ends of the open shed by the said guide-hooks, means for moving the guide-hooks into an active position, means for locking the guide-hooks in this position, and means controlled by the shuttle for alternately .unlocking the said locking means for releasing the guide-hooks, as set forth.

25. A loom having a lay, rods mounted to slide thereon, needles secured to said rods and located at the ends of the open shed to alternately receive loops from weft-threads passing through the shed alternately from 01)- posite sides, springs pressing on said rods to normally hold the needles in an active position, levers for moving said rods against the tension of their springs, devices for locking the rods in the inactive position of the needles, levers adapted to engage said devices to move the same to release the rods, mechanism controlled by the movement of the shuttle for actuating the said levers and means for disengaging the said devices and levers innnediately after the rods are released to permit the said devices to return to locking position, as set forth.

26. A loom having a lay and needles mounted to slide thereon and located at the ends of the open shed to alternately receive loops from weft-threads passed through the shed alternately from opposite sides, a shuttl movable on the lay and through the open shed to alternately cast oil the loops of the weft-threads for engagement by the sa d needles, levers for moving the needles into an inactive position, spring-pressed catches mounted to slide and adapted to loek the needles in an inactive position, spring devices carried by the said catches and adapted to be engaged to move the said catches against the tension of their springs, and mechanism controlled by the shuttle and adapted to engage said springdevices to move the catches, as set forth.

27. A loom having a lay, rods mounted to slide thereon, needles carried by said rods and located at the ends of the open shed to alternately receive loops from weft-threznls passed through the shed alternately from opposite sides, a shuttle movable on the lay and through the open shed to alternately cast; off the loops of the weft-threads for engagement by the said needles, spring-pressed levers provided with spring-catches for ei'igaging and moving the rods to carry the needles into an inactive rearward position, adjustable stops against which the ends of said levers are adapted to bear, springs for moving the rods to carry the needles forward into an active position, and spring-catches controlled by the said shuttle for locking the needles in an inactive position, as set forth.

98. A loom having a lay and needles mounted to slide thereon and located at the ends of the open shed to alternately receive loops from weftthreads passed through the shed alternately from opposite sides, and a shuttle movable on the lay and through the open shed to alternately cast oil the loops of the weftthreads for engagement by the said needles, springs for torcii'ig the needles into an active position, levers for moving the needles rearward against the tension of their springs, locking devices for holding the needles in their rearward positions, and means controlled by the said shuttle for nuloc king the locking devices, as set Forth.

20. A loom provided with a lay having shuttlca'aees, a spoollcss shuttle adapted to pa s alternately into the said shuttle races, a spring pressed lug slidable transversely in the shuttle, levers extending lengthwise in the shuttle and t'ulerumed at one end, the inner or free ends ot'said levers engaging the inner end of the lug, projections on the levers near their fulcrum ends, and means in the shuttle-races for engaging the said projections, as set forth.

30. A loom provided with a lay having sh uttle-races, a spoollcss shuttle adapted to pass alternately into the said shuttle races, a spring pressed lug slidable in the shuttle, means in the shuttle and shuttle-races for pressing the lug rearward against its spring, and retaining-arms on the said lug, adapted to open on the rearward movement to release the loop from the lug, as set forth.

3] Aloom provided with alay having shuttle-races, a spoolless shuttle adapted to pass alternately into the said shuttle races, a spring-pressed lug slidable in theshuttle, a means in the shuttle and shuttle-races for pressing the lug rearward against the spring, the said means consisting of levers fulcrumed in the shuttle and engaging the lug and springs in the shuttle-races for engaging the levers, as set forth.

Iii. A loom provided with a lay having shu ttie-races, a spoolless shuttle adapted to pass alternately into the said shuttle races, a spring-pressed lug slidable in the shuttle, means in the shuttle and shuttle-races for pressing the lug rearward against its spring, retaining-arms on the said lug, adapted to open on the rearward movement to release the loop from the lug, and a fixed pin in the shuttle for engagingthe said armsto open the same, as set forth.

1 ii. A loom having a lay, a rod mounted to slide vertically in bearings carried by the lay, a guide-hook carried by the rod for guiding the weft-thread, a shuttle movable on the lay to take up the weft-threzul. from said guidehook, means for normally holding the rod in the uppermost or inactive position, means for moving the rod tothc lowermost or active position, means for lockingthe rod in the active position, and means controlled by the shuttle for releasing the rod, as set forth.

34. A loom havinga lay, a shuttle movable on the lay, a needle mounted on the lay and adapted to receive the loop cast oil from the shuttle, a rod carrying said needle, a casing in which the rod slidcs,a lug on said rod and extending through a slot in the casing, a springengaging said rod to normally hold theneedle in active position, a lever fulernmed on the casing and having a spring-catch at one end adapted to engage said lug to move said rod against the tension of the spring to carry the needle to an inactive position, a stop against which the other end of said lever is adapted to bear, means for loekingthe rod to hold the needle in the inactive position and means controlled by the shuttle for moving the locking device to release the said rod, as set forth.

$35. Aloom having a holding and releasing device, comprising a support for the spool, a frame connected with said support, eyes located one above the other in said frame and through which the thread passes from the spool, a curved spring held in said frame and adapted to press the weft-thread against the side of the frame, means for moving said spring to periodically clamp and release the thread, a spririg-controlled de vice mon nted to slide and through which the thread passes IIC from the holding and releasing device, and means for guiding the thread from said device to the shuttle, as set forth.

36. A loom having a lay, a shuttle movable on the lay and having a retaining device for the Weft-thread, a guide-hook for guiding the weft-thread to the retaining device, a needle for engaging and disengaging the Weft-thread cast off from the retaining device, a holding and releasing device for the weft thread, means for taking up the slack of the thread, means for actuating the needle and controlled by the shuttle, means for moving the guidehook into active position, a spring-catch for holding the guide-hook in this position,a lever for releasing the catch, and means controlled by the shuttle for actuating said lever, as set forth.

37. A loom having a lay a shuttle movable on the lay a needle mounted on the lay and adapted to receive the loop cast off from the shuttle, a rod mounted to slide and carrying said needle, a projecting lug on said rod, a spring normally holding the rod with the needle in active position, a lever adapted to engage said lug to move the rod against the tension of the spring, aspringcateh for locking the rod in said position, a lever adapted to engage and move the spring-catch to release the rod, means controlled by the shuttle for actuating the said lever, and means for releasing the spring-catch from the said lever, as set forth.

38. A loom having a lay, a rod mounted to slide vertically in bearings carried by the lay, a guide-hook carried by the rod for guiding the weft-thread, a shuttle movable on the lay to take up the Weft-thread from said guidehook, a spring for normally holding the rod in the uppermost or inactive position, means for moving the rod to the lowermost or active position, a spring-catch for locking the rod in the active position, a spring-pressed lever adapted to engage and move the said catch to release the rod, and means controlled by the shuttle for moving the said lever, as set forth.

39. A loom having a lay, ashuttle movable on the lay, a needle mounted to slide on the lay and adapted to receive the loop cast off from the shuttle, means for moving the needle into an inactive position, means for moving the needle into an active position, a device for locking the needle in an inactive position, a lever for releasing said locking device, and a spring-pressed lever fulcrumed on the raceway and controlled by the shuttle, the said lever being adapted when actuated, to impart a swinging motion to the first-mentioned lever, as set forth.

40. A loom having a layprovided with a shuttle raceway, a guide for guiding the thread, a shuttle for taking up the thread from the guide, means for engaging the thread with the shuttle and disengaging it therefrom, a needle for engaging and disengaging the thread cast off from the shuttle, a lever projecting into the raceway, and adapted to be engaged by the shuttle to swing the lever outward, mechanism actuated by the said lever for controlling the guide, a spring-pressed lever fulcrumed on the raceway and resting at one end on the firstmentioned lever, and mechanism actuated from said springpressed lever for controlling the needle, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERNEST VAIILE.

\Vitnesses:

JULIUS VoLcKnAUsEN, CHRIST KLASSEN. 

